Below is a quote from St. Peter Damian (1007–1072), a prominent 11th-century reformer and theologian known for his ascetic writings and deep reflections on monastic life. In his treatise Letter 28: The Book of Gomorrah, he writes:
“The talkative man’s tongue is a sword that kills his own soul; silence, on the other hand, is the guardian of innocence and the shield against temptation.”
Source: Peter Damian. The Book of Gomorrah and St. Peter Damian’s Struggle Against Ecclesiastical Corruption. Translated by Matthew Cullinan Hoffman. Arx Publishing, 2015. Page 61.
Question for reflection: how is silence a part of your own spiritual discipline/formation? How does it influence your communication with God, self, and others?